| Athens Ancient History in a Modern City | | | | greatdeal of damage. Not the least of which occurred |
| Athens is a huge metropolis of over 4 million | | | | during the |
| people,around 40% of the Greek population. It is a | | | | Turkish occupation, when it was used to store |
| busy bustlingcity, where present day apartment | | | | weapons andexplosives which then, surprisingly, blew |
| blocks, live side by sidewith the relics and ruins of | | | | up! |
| one of the greatestcivilizations of the ancient world. | | | | The Parliament Building: An impressive building |
| An appealing and headymix of southern European, | | | | whichuntil it burned down in 1910 was a royal |
| Mediterranean and Middle Easterncultures, as well as | | | | residence. It wasrestored and opened in 1935 as the |
| the fiery but friendly Greektemperament, this is a | | | | home of the National |
| city where every day is lived to itsfullest! | | | | Assembly. It was built by King Otto in1835. |
| Food is a major highlight in Athens, with the accent | | | | Rockwave Festival: A large and growing rock festival |
| firmlyon lamb, seafood and salads. The | | | | thatlasts for three days every summer featuring |
| Mediterranean's virtuallyinvented the healthy diet, | | | | around 20 bandsover the course of the event. |
| which is now used as a model bymany western | | | | Different music styles arebeing incorporated from |
| dieticians. The portions are good, the pricesare cheap | | | | trance to rock. |
| and the ouzo (Greek spirit) flows freely at | | | | National Archaeological Museum: This would be |
| everyrestaurant. | | | | worthvisiting just for the grandeur of the building |
| The main reason that most tourists go to Athens of | | | | itself. Butit also holds one of the best archeological |
| courseis the history. There is over 3,000 years of | | | | museums to befound anywhere. Among the huge |
| historycontained in the relics and buildings of Athens | | | | collection of ancient Greekartifacts is what may be |
| and | | | | the first ever computer. |
| Temperatures in Athens can be unbearably hot in the | | | | The Temple of Olympian Zeus: The huge size of |
| summerreaching over 40 degrees and a crowded city | | | | theoriginal temple can be appreciated from the |
| full of trafficand tourists is not the place to be. There | | | | massiveremaining columns. Originally there were 114 |
| is very littlein the way of park land in the city. So if | | | | of them. Thetemple was built from 515BC onwards |
| you do travel insummer and are in need of a break, | | | | and destroyed in the |
| then a day trip to oneof the islands, some of which | | | | 4th century AD. Prior to its destruction it contained |
| are in easy reach, is theonly real option. Spring and fall | | | | animmense statue of Zeus made from ivory and |
| are a better bet, whenthe climate is more temperate | | | | gold. |
| and the streets andhistorical sights are less busy. | | | | The Olympic Stadium: The stadium holds 75,000 |
| Athens is probably the greatest repository of | | | | people andwas the heart of the 2004 Athens games |
| ancientartifacts and buildings in the western world | | | | with a hugelyimpressive glass and steel roof weighing |
| and thesealone are worth a week of anybodies | | | | 17,000 tons heldin place (hopefully securely!) by 2 |
| holiday. But they arefar from all that Athens has to | | | | massive arches. |
| offer. | | | | Agora: A huge architectural park filled with statues |
| Athens must see | | | | andruins of temples and buildings including the, very |
| The Acropolis: Not one, but several temples including | | | | wellpreserved 2nd century Temple of Hephaistos. |
| the | | | | The Stoa |
| Parthenon, surely the most famous of the Athens | | | | Attalou a 2nd century BC building, a new build by |
| landmarks. | | | | Greekstandards, contains a collection of ancient |
| Built in the 5th century BC the temple is dedicated to | | | | artifacts. |
| Athena. Although still standing, it has suffered a | | | | |